20150111

2014 Year-End Favourites #3 || Skincare

2014 really was the year I turned around my skincare routine. Actually, more like the year I actually got a skincare routine! Yes, this time last year it consisted of Boots own brand face wipes and maybe their exfoliator once in a blue moon...I've got a really good idea of which products work for me so here are some of my favourites!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the Clarisonic Mia (£99) last year and I love using the Deep PoreHead(£21) to have a really good cleanse a couple of times a week. It's a really strange concept to get your head around but trust me; you haven't known cleansing until you've tried a brush! I'm not saying rush out and buy this one in particular as I've heard really good things about the Magnitone Lucid too, which is more affordable to begin with and sometimes on offer.

The cleanser I love to use with this is my favourite cleanser of the year; Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash (£18.50 for full size). I was so lucky to receive both the Origins products in this post as a giveaway prize but I'll definitely be re-purchasing. A little goes a long way so the tube may look small but it's lasted me a while and shows no signs of running out. It can be used in the morning to get rid of sweat and dirt or in the evening to cleanse your face of makeup. It's also a product I think would work for any skin type. It smells lovely and leaves my skin so soft!

The other Origins product on my list is the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (£23 full size). I suffer both from combination skin and dehydrated skin! Overnight is when I like to put the moisture back into my skin after wearing matte products during the day to keep my shine at bay. It doesn't leave any sort of greasy or oily residue, just leaves skin soft and full of life.

The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo(£15.50) has been a life-saver post-Christmas. After turning around my skin after Christmas with this routine it's 1000x better and really clear so I'm very happy! This product was definitely a big part of that; once in the morning and once in the evening and watch your skin clear up.

Lush face masks aren't something I do all the time; partly because they're fresh and partly as they contain perfumes. However this year I absolutely loved Cupcake (£6.50). It's perfect for oily/combination skin as it doesn't dry it out but it removes shine and really helps to calm blemishes as well as preventing breakouts.

I love the Bioderma Sensbio H2O (£10.20) for removing eye and lip makeup. I have tried the Garnier Micellar Water and I do really like it but for me I get more removal power with less product so it edges ahead. I have supersensitive eyes so I love how gentle this is but it's still so effective!

For removing face makeup I loooove the Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil (£10). This was a bit of a late discovery but it really is amazing. It just breaks down your makeup really quickly and it positively melts away. If you have oily skin especially, it can be scary to put an oil on your face but I promise you that once you wash it off it won't make your situation any worse.

The only moisturiser that's really done it for me this past year has been the ForYou M1 Signature Mosituriser* (£4 for sample size). It's for combination skin and I find it rich and hydrating but the formula doesn't lead to any excess greasiness; it just sinks right in.

Another Lush discovery has been the Movis Soap (£4.50). It may not look like much but it smells so lovely and oat-y and you only need the tiniest amount to work up a really good foam. It reduces facial shine and really helps to clear the skin.

Finally we have the Lush Santa Lip Scrub (£5.95). I find it so effective and gentlest buffing away the dead skin which always seems to be there this time of year. It's a total must-have, especially if you're fond of matte lipsticks.

i didn't mind the TBS cleansing oil but the cleansing balm works so much better for me.i grew to love the effacer duo after trying it b/c of all the hype. its a good staple to keep on hand for maintaining clearer pores. doesn't really do that job if you have a huge breakout but its good for prevention and gentle damage control.

The Body Shop Cleansing Oil has been my go to cleanser in the past months. Such an amazing product. Removes makeup like no other and so affordable. It was definitely a favourite of 2014 for me as well. xx